Richard E. Parker

Richard Elliot Parker ( * December 27, 1783 in Westmoreland County, Virginia; † September 10, 1840 at Snickersville, Virginia) was an American lawyer and politician (Democratic Party), who represented the state of Virginia in the U.S. Senate.

Richard Parker came to Rock Spring, the family farm in northern Virginia, to the world; He was the grandson of Richard Parker who was at the time of the Revolutionary War, a respected lawyer and politician at the state level. With him he studied the law. After recording to the bar he began in Westmoreland County to practice, which he represented as his grandfather also in the House of Virginia.

During the British - American War Parker served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the 35th Regiment of the militia of Virginia, where he during the British attack on Washington DC was wounded on 16 September 1814. He returned to his work as a lawyer, which he exercised in the following years. On December 12, 1836, he was elected U.S. Senator, after Benjamin W. Leigh had resigned from his position. But he remained only until March 4, 1837 Congress; Reason for his resignation was the appointment of a judge of the Supreme Court of Virginia. When he U.S. President Martin Van Buren later the offer made ​​little, Attorney General to be in his cabinet, renounced Parker. He died in September 1840 at his country estate Soldier's Retreat.